This is a trade facing website. Visit the ACT's consumer site thecyclingexperts.co.uk for information and advice on cycling and find your local independent cycle retailer.

Search News

Results: 1-10 of 910


8 May 2025

ACT parent company Bira has welcomed the Bank of England's decision to reduce interest rates from 4.5% to 4.25%, calling it a "much-needed boost" for the retail sector, including for cycling...

8 May 2025

ACT parent company Bira has responded to the news that the 144-year-old Beales department store is staging a "Rachel Reeves Closing Down Sale" in its final weeks of trading, with giant yellow...

2 May 2025

Could the UK cycling industry be showing signs of renewed momentum? Following a challenging period marked by falling sales and overstocked inventories, overall trends and sales figures from...

2 May 2025

The Netherlands is set to legalise electric scooters and other light electric vehicles on public roads from July 2025, provided they are registered and display a license plate.

30 Apr 2025

The ACT has welcomed the announcement of a parliamentary inquiry into e-bike products not meeting safety regulations, which has been launched “in context of dangerous low-quality e-bike...

29 Apr 2025

Edinburgh has been named the UK’s top city for bike commuting, with 10.00% of its workforce choosing to cycle to work, according to new research.

28 Apr 2025

The Labour Government’s new Employment Rights Bill is set to be in force this year and the new regulations will impact high street retailers up and down the country.

25 Apr 2025

ACT parent company Bira welcomes the Chancellor's announcement of plans to create a level playing field for British businesses against unfair international trade practices.

15 Apr 2025

Retail Crime Remains Alarming - Bira's Latest Survey Reveals Urgent Need for Action

11 Apr 2025

Bira has cautiously welcomed the Prime Minister's announcement this week on plans to put 'thousands of Bobbies back on the Beat' with a new neighbourhood policing guarantee.

Back to news menu

Retailer Spotlight - Elmy Cycles Ipswich

Posted on in Business News , Cycles News

For our latest retailer spotlight, we spoke with Steven Grimwood from the brilliant Elmy Cycles in Ipswich, who has been working in the cycle trade since he was 14 years old.

Elmy

Last year the business, which is an ACT member, marked its 100-year anniversary, with Steve spearheading the company for over 30 years, having taken over from Mr Elmy in 1992.

Steve explains, “I think the future looks great for independent bike shops - just in the way we are starting to see the resurgence of local book shops and local coffee shops, customers can get tired of the big corporate machine and drift away, looking for something more personal.

“Us indies have a great opportunity to curate interesting product lines, individual niches and react quickly to new products and trends. There are still a lot of questions for the future, like how suppliers can work with our market, perhaps by offering more indie-focused product lines or rotating stock to ensure the right models are on the shop floors. And of course, supporting dealer initiatives.

“One of the biggest mistakes suppliers sometimes make is treating retailers as a customer and not a partner. If they viewed their dealer network as their showrooms to the public, they could make much better use of us and our expertise.”

The Elmy team regularly attends and supports events such as a recent local Cyclo Cross which had over 300 riders present. An Elmy team took part in the ride last month, with Steve dressed as Santa to add to the fun!

“We have just completed a renovation of the store, with a new coffee shop area, function space and showroom. Just last month we hosted an open day with Oliver Bridgewood from Global Cycling Network, with over 90 customers attending a film night at a local cinema and a shop ride the next day.

“The future looks bright; despite the tough times the trade is in right now we have been here before - and it will go full cycle - we will get over this hill.”

Back to news menu

Useful links

If you have any other queries please contact us.